In the crosshairs

THE Valencia regional government has eased hunting restrictions in an effort to reduce the overpopulation of wild boars and rabbits in Alicante Province.

Increased numbers of these animals are causing huge losses for farmers, as they devour and trample fruit and vegetable crops.

Overpopulations of both species have currently been reported in up to 175 municipalities in the Marina Alta and Baja, Vinalopo, Vega Baja and El Comtat districts.

This has led the Ecological Transition department of the Generalitat to launch a campaign informing local councils in the affected areas about a series of measures to prevent and control the damage.

Among them is the flexibilisation and acceleration of hunting authorisations and permission to use alternative methods, such as traps, in areas where hunting is prohibited.

During last year’s hunting season a record 42,315 wild boars were shot throughout the Valencia Region, the highest number ever recorded and 19 per cent higher than the previous campaign - and more than triple the number recorded 10 years ago.

The project includes 14 initiatives grouped into four areas, namely green and sustainable transition, energy efficiency, digital transition and competitiveness, which will be carried out over three years.

Municipal Tourism councillor Susanne Katzgrau welcomed the investment and highlighted the “dedication and hard work” that has gone into drawing up the project and obtaining the European financing.

The main aim of the plan is to diversify local tourism, reducing seasonality - ie encouraging all-year-round visitors as opposed to just in the summer - and offering complementary activities to ‘sun and beach’ tourism by improving cultural facilities and creating new sustainable experiences and products based on economic, social and environmental criteria.

ON Saturday June 3, the very popular From the Jam will make their first ever Spanish appearance at the Benalmadena Auditorium.

Prior to their arrival, one of the founding members of The Jam spoke exclusively to Euro Weekly News about his long career and how this band was formed.

It was in 1977 that The Jam obtained their first recording contract and the trio consisting of former Woking schoolboys, Bruce Foxton, Paul Weller and Rick Buckler burst on the scene.

They couldn’t really be categorised as punk but with their Mod image and biting music certainly ruled the record charts until 1982 when they broke up.

During that time, they had 18 consecutive top 40 singles before Paul Weller decided to call it a day in 1982 and they disbanded.

Bruce, the bass player spent 15 years in punk band Stiff Little Fingers and then formed another band Casbah Club with Russell Hastings and more by luck than judgement they